Nine drinks that add life to a party | Canada Voices

For the past three years, a group of European wine and food producers have joined forces for the Mediterranean Aperitivo campaign. Their message is to embrace the small pleasures of life by gathering around a table and enjoying quality products.

“We want to promote the pleasure that comes from sharing some food and drink with friends,” explains Roberto Bava, who has worked to revitalize the vermouth category since his family acquired Cocchi distillery in 1978.

Bava proposed the international promotion as part of efforts to educate cocktail drinkers about the versatility of vermouth. He has been instrumental in establishing a designation of origin for Vermouth di Torino, which helps the various companies and brands working in Piedmont promote the quality of their distinctive aromatized wines.

The next step is getting consumers to enjoy the product at home. When Bava oversees tastings, he grabs a wine glass and teaches attendees how to make a quick and easy herbal cocktail, by adding an ounce or two of Vermouth di Torino topped with tonic water and garnished with orange zest. Later, he will showcase how it elevates the flavour of a Negroni or Manhattan.

It’s aperitivo time: Recipes for make-ahead snacks and cocktails

The simple cocktail helps to underscore the relaxed mood at the heart of the Mediterrean Apertivo movement, he explains. The refreshing low alcohol cocktail goes well with snacks that are just as easy to prepare: a bowl of olives, a hunk of parmesan or pecorino cheese, with some fresh bread or crackers.

In the spirit of conviviality, here are some year-end recommendations of quality wines and other drinks that shine in social settings.

Castello di Gabbiano Dark Knight 2022 (Italy), $18

A juicy blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and sangiovese from Gabbiano’s vineyards in Tuscany, Dark Knight offers decent complexity and structure for the price. The tangy and fresh character, with a mix of ripe and tart fruit flavours and spice notes, adds to the drinkability and appeal Drink now-2026. Available at the above price in Ontario, $18.99 in British Columbia, various prices in Alberta.

Cocchi Vermouth di Torino (Italy), $34.20

Based on a recipe from 1891, Cocchi makes this complex sweet vermouth from a base of white wine with wormwood and other botanicals from the Piedmont region. The result in an engaging mix of fruit, spice and cocoa notes that is enjoyable served on its own over ice, with tonic or in a cocktail, such as a Manhattan, Negroni or Americano (equal parts Campari and sweet vermouth, topped with sparkling water). Available at the above price in Ontario, various prices in British Columbia and Alberta, $72.99 in Saskatchewan, $31 in Quebec, $38.92 in Nova Scotia.

Decoy Brut Rosé Sparkling (United States), $39.95

This traditional method non-vintage sparkling wine from California is made from a base of 75 per cent pinot noir and 25 per cent chardonnay that spent a year aging on the lees after the secondary fermentation in bottle. Expect a bright and fruity bubbly with appealing cherry and berry fruit mixed with citrus and nutty notes. Drink now. Available in Ontario.

Gardet Tradition Cuvée Saint Flavy Brut Champagne (France), $59.95

Gardet is a family run Champagne house based in Chigny-les-Roses, located between Reims and Epernay. The Tradition Brut label is made from equal parts pinot noir and pinot meunier with 10 per cent chardonnay, resulting in a crisp and refreshing style. The green apple and bright citrus flavours are rounded out by some bread and earthy notes. Drink now-2027. Available at the above price in Ontario, various prices in British Columbia and Alberta.

Hidden Bench Natur Zéro Dosage Sparkling 2017 (Canada), $47.20

Produced from a blend of pinot noir and chardonnay grapes harvested from Beamsville Bench vineyards in 2017 and fermented in barrel, this dry and structured sparkling makes the most of its rich citrus and apple character. Following a second fermentation in bottle, the wine aged on lees before being disgorged in 2023, which contributes nutty and toasty notes to a serious expression that shows maturity and freshness on the palate. Drink now-2027. Available the above price in Ontario or $47 direct, hiddenbench.com

Hola Mediterráneo Organic Brut Sparkling (Spain), $17.95

This chardonnay-based traditional method bubbly from Catalonia offers a simple yet enjoyable fruity character (apple, pear, citrus) that’s more crowd-pleasing than conventional Cavas. The flavourful style is enjoyable on its own or could be used effectively for Mimosas, spritz or other festive cocktails. Drink now. Available in Ontario.

Loios White 2023 (Portugal), $10.30

This simple and refreshing white wine is made from a variety of local grapes grown in Alentejo. Its citrusy and green fruit character contributes to a dry and crisp character that’s lively and ready to drink. Drink now. Available in Ontario.

Nova Zero (Canada), $18.95

To diversify a portfolio that includes some of the country’s best traditional method sparkling wines, Benjamin Bridge has developed a non-alcoholic version of its popular Nova 7 white from Nova Scotia. This canned beverage captures the intense floral and fruity character of the original, which is made in an off-dry, low alcohol style (typically around 8 per cent abv). It joins a burgeoning assortment of alternative low and no-alcohol products, including Piquette Zero launched in 2022. Drink now. Available at the above price for 4 x 250 ml cans, clearsips.ca, $15 for 4 x 250 ml cans, softcrush.ca, $47.97 for 12 x 250 ml cans direct, benjaminbridge.com, $3.99 per 250 ml can in Prince Edward Island.

Veuve Ambal Cremant de Bourgogne Grande Cuvee Brut (France), $22.75

This well-priced sparkling wine from Burgundy blends pinot noir, chardonnay, aligoté and gamay to create a nicely balanced bubbly with pleasing complexity and character. The dry style is marked by apple and lemon notes that contribute to an easy to appreciate sparkling wine with a creamy texture and refreshing finish. Drink now. Available at the above price in Ontario, $23.80 in Quebec.